PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Steve Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Slim Tussu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Tussu's choice of entrance music: Chocolate Salty Balls. The key to victory for Steve Smith has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Smith
vs
Tussu

160 cm
25
158 lbs
9 - 3 - 1

172 cm
21
160 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Steve Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Slim Tussu!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Tarja Halkonen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith stuffs the takedown attempt from Tussu. Tussu gets slowly back to his feet.
Smith throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Smith lands a glancing blow to the side of Tussu's head.
Tussu shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Smith counters with a right hand to the body.
Smith misses the body punch

and Tussu counters with a shoot takedown. Smith fights it but they end up in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tussu throws a strike but Smith rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Tussu wants to sweep but no luck.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith wants to pass the guard but Tussu is keeping the position.
Smith thows a big elbow that misses.
Smith throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Smith loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Tussu is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Smith with a flurry of punches that miss.
Tussu controls Smith momentarily but Smith frees himself.
Smith wants to control from the top but Tussu keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Tussu is controlling Smith's posture.
Smith might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Smith. Tussu does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tussu fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Steve Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Slim Tussu.
Tussu shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Smith but Smith pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tussu takes one on the button.
A lazy left from Smith finds it's target.
Smith misses with a series of wild punches.
Tussu shoots for a takedown but Smith saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Tussu.
Smith swings for the body but Tussu moves out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Smith. No joy for Tussu on that attempt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tussu doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Smith dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Tussu with a poor takedown
and Smith counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Tussu thinking.
Smith swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Smith misses with a straight right.
Tussu shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Smith counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Steve Smith is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tussu tries for a takedown but Smith circles away easily

and Smith counters with a combination of strikes to the head and body that crumple Tussu!

Tussu is rocked!
Steve Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Slim Tussu.
Smith is controlling the pace.
Tussu blocking the ground and pound attempt from Smith.
Smith thows a huge punch but Tussu dodges it nicely.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Smith in particular looking to stall.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smith tries to pass the half guard into mount. Tussu knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Smith connects with a nice short shot to Tussu's temple.
Smith throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tussu is trying to get back to full guard.
Smith sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Smith missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Smith seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Smith prevents Tussu from improving his position.
Tussu manages to get to full guard.
Tussu is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Tussu throws a strike but Smith avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tussu trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.
Tussu working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Tussu in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Tussu throws a big right hand that misses.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tussu accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Smith preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Tussu throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Smith works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Tussu throws a strike but Smith rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Tussu is pulling down on Smith's head. It's preventing any offense from Smith, at least for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith trying to control but Tussu is working from the bottom.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Tussu holds on and takes a little breather.
Smith throwing strikes from guard but Tussu blocks nicely.
Smith throwing strikes from guard but Tussu blocks nicely.
Tussu is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Smith throwing strikes but missing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smith scoring with some ground and pound.
Tussu has his hands on Smith's head, controlling the position.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Tussu is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Smith dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Tussu with a poor takedown
and Smith counters with a straight right hand.
Tussu tries for a takedown but Smith circles away easily
and Smith counters with a stiff jab, followed by a cross and an uppercut! That's too much punishment for Tussu to take - he tumbles to the canvas, blood pouring from his nose, barely conscious. That's the end of the fight! Great knockout by Smith!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:19 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Steve Smith!